Modular grill

ABSTRACT

A modular grill having at least one grilling configuration for grilling food and having a carrying configuration for carrying the food is provided. The grill includes a heating-function group, having an interchangeable heating module for heating the food by way of a vertical radiating surface in the grilling configuration, and also includes a food-carrier-function group, which is connected to the heating-function group and has a food-carrier module. The heating-function group includes at least one guide device for guiding the heating module, and also includes a number of fastening elements for fastening the heating module in a releasable manner on the heating-function group. The food-carrier module includes at least one food carrier, which is intended for accommodating the food and is mounted in the grilling configuration in front of the radiating surface such that it can be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to PCT Application No.PCT/EP2018/075458, having a filing date of Sep. 20, 2018, based onGerman Application No. 10 2017 121 840.8, having a filing date of Sep.20, 2017, the entire contents both of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to a modular grill with at least one grillconfiguration for grilling food and a carrying configuration forcarrying the grilled food. The grill includes at least one heatingfunction group, a replaceable heating module for heating the food, witha vertical radiating surface in the grill configuration and a foodcarrier function group with a food carrying module connected with theheating function group.

BACKGROUND

State of the art grills are known, but these are heavy and often have anexternal drive which is usually connected to the mains power supply.These grills are accordingly transportable or independent only to a verylimited degree and thus cannot be used without infrastructure such as anexternal mains power supply and electric wiring. Furthermore, dependingon class, grills are usually laborious in use, restricted to specialapplications and cannot be adapted flexibly to different uses.

The utility model specification DE202014001383U1 describes a fire basketgrill smoker, which can be heated both with firewood and with charcoal,charcoal briquettes, pellets or gas. The food is thus placed on the firebasket, for example in a pan or on a pizza stone. As the heat source isopen on top, there is a risk that food or tools may fall into the heatsource and burn, or that a user comes into contact with the heat sourceand is thus injured.

The patent document DE 19756317C2 discloses a folding, mobile,multi-functional cooking device, quick into operation, for operation inseveral functions concurrently, energy-saving, environmentally friendly,with additional plug-in devices for grilling, roasting, baking, cookingand smoking. The cooking device is very versatile, but very laborious toassemble and use.

The patent document U.S. Pat. No. 3,182,585A describes a portable grill.This grill has a grill configuration for grilling food and a foldedcarrying configuration for carrying the grill. The grill includes twofuel tanks, which can be aligned in the grill configuration horizontallyor vertically, in order to heat the food from beneath and/or from aside. In each case, the fuel tanks have an opening for filling withfuel, for example with charcoal. As the opening cannot be too large, sothat the fuel does not fall out while operating or transporting thegrill, filling with fuel and removing fuel residues is designed to bedifficult.

SUMMARY

An aspect relates to a grill that is, as far as possible, economical tomake, versatile in use, portable and simple and safe to use.

A modular grill according to embodiments of the invention has at leastone grill configuration for grilling food and a carrying configurationfor carrying the grill. The carrying configuration differs from thegrill configuration for example in that an expansion and/or a volume ofthe grill in the carrying configuration is smaller than in the grillconfiguration, the grill thus having a reduced stowage factor, or thatthe heated and/or contaminated surfaces of the grill are concealed inthe carrying configuration. An advantage of the carrying configurationis that the grill can be carried in this way simply and without danger.

If the grill, for example, is at least closed tightly in the carryingconfiguration while pointing downwards, e.g. by means of a drip tray forcollecting dirt and fluids, then the grill can also be stored quicklyeven with temporary and incomplete cleaning in an area to be kept clean,such as a car boot.

Advantageously, the grill can be so small and light in the carryingconfiguration that it can be carried by a single person without aid.Therefore, in the carrying configuration, for example, a maximumexpansion of the grill may be below 120 cm, in particular below 60 cm, avolume of the grill below 0.5 m³ and/or a weight of the grill below 30kg, in particular below 15 kg.

The grill includes at least one heating function group, a replaceableheating module for heating the food with a vertical radiating surface inthe grill configuration and a food carrying function group with a foodcarrying module connected with the heat function group.

A vertically aligned radiating surface offers the advantage that no foodcan fall from the food carrying function group on to the hot radiatingsurface, where it could burn uncontrolled. In this way, impuritiesand/or damage to the heating function group, odor contamination and firerisk are avoided.

One length and a width of the radiating surface are advantageously ineach case greater than a depth of the heating module orthogonally to theradiating surface. In each case, it can be particularly advantageous ifthe length and width are at least twice as large, in particular at leastfour times as large, as the depth. A heating module designed to be flatin this way enables a large cooking area to be heated evenly and a lowgrill volume to be guaranteed, especially in the carrying configuration.

The heating module can, for example, include an electric heat source, asolid fuel heat source and/or a gas heat source. An electric heatsource, for example an electric radiant heater, offers the advantagesthat no exhaust gases arise during its operation, that it isparticularly simple and safe to use and that it can be designed to beparticularly flat. A gas heat source offers the advantage that it can beoperated independently of an electrical energy source. A solid fuel heatsource offers the advantage that the aromas released as the solid fuelburns can have a positive influence on the taste of the food.

A gas heat source is designed as a gas radiant heater, as the food canbe heated evenly due to the large radiating surface of a gas radiantheater. A heating module with a gas heat source includes a gas tank, forexample a gas cartridge, so that the heating module can be operatedwithout connection to an external gas supply. In this way, operation ofthe grill is particularly simple and safe.

A heating module with a gas heat source includes at least one valve forsetting a gas flow to the gas heat source, wherein the valve can becontrolled electrically, for example by a grill control module. Anelectrically controllable valve is designed so that it suppresses thegas flow if in a potential-free state, so that, for example if thecontrol module fails, or if the heating module is separated from thegrill, no gas escapes uncontrolled.

Advantageously, the heating function group includes at least oneguidance device for guiding the heating module and a number of fasteningelements for detachable fastening of the heating module to the heatingfunction group.

Detachable, as defined in embodiments of the invention, meansnon-destructive, thus without damaging components of the grill,detachable, so that components separated from one another can bereconnected again. Advantageously, a detachable connection can bedetached without tools.

If the heating module can be connected detachably with the heatingfunction group, it can be separated from the grill for example forservicing, cleaning and/or repair purposes or to use different heatingmodules with the grill, for example with different fuels or electricallyoperated heating modules. In this way, the grill is particularlyversatile in use and simple to handle. Advantageously, additionalmodules, in particular the food carrying module, can also be designed sothat they can be detached from the grill.

The advantages of the modular construction of the grill is illustratedon the example of the heating module, wherein it is for example possibleto use different heating modules with the same grill, while retainingthe remaining function groups and modules, for example, an electricheating module can be provided for a stationary use of the grill, inparticular in a building, and a gas- or charcoal-operated heating modulefor a mobile use of the grill, especially in the open air.

In particular, owing to its modular construction, all types of grilling,in particular high temperature grilling, direct grilling, indirectgrilling, plank grilling, smoking and curing can be done with a grillaccording to embodiments of the invention by exchanging one or moremodules. This makes a modular grill according to embodiments of theinvention more flexible, cost-effective and practical compared with anumber of conventional special grills.

For detachable fastening, the fastening elements can, for example, haveplug-in, catch- or clip connectors. This guarantees particularly easydetachment with concurrent stability of the grill.

The guidance device allows a particularly simple and safe installationand disassembly of the heating module, for example while the heatingmodule is pushed from the side into the heating function group, withoutthe heating module with the heating function group being able to tilt orfall down. In particular, with a heavy and/or hot heating module, aguidance device for safe use of the grill is indispensable.

The guidance device may, for example, include a rail system, to whichthe matching sliding surfaces or rollers of the heating module arerouted.

The food carrying module includes at least one food carrier for holdingthe food, rotatable about a vertical axis, in the grill configuration.In particular, the part of the food carrying module for holding the foodis arranged in front of the radiating surface.

A food carrier, mounted to be rotatable, has the advantage that the foodis grilled evenly on all sides in a simple manner, in particular withoutuser intervention.

The food carrier can, for example, be designed like the food carryingelement described in the publication WO2016/091371A2. The publicationWO2016/091371A2, in particular on its page 2, line 20 to page 5, line 10as well as on page 10, line 24 to page 15, line 28 as well as FIGS. 1,2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 is incorporated here by reference.

The heating function group and the food function group can be connectedvia a number of connection elements in a detachable manner and/ormovably with each other. By means of a detachable connection, thefunction groups, for example for transport, for simple cleaning or forreplacing a function group, can be separated from each other, wherebythe grill is particularly versatile and easy to use. A movableconnection, for example, allows a transfer of the grill from a grillstate into a space-saving transport state or a setting of a spacebetween the food and the radiating surface, in order to control thegrilling process in this way.

The connecting elements can, for example, be formed as telescopicconnectors, a rail system, catch partners, links, hinges,friction-locking clips and/or, bolted, plug-in connections.

At least one of the fastening elements and/or connection elements can bedesigned to form a connection decoupled thermally by means of aninsulation from hot sections of the grilling device. By means of suchthermally decoupled connectors, modules and/or function groups in astate where the grill is heated can be isolated from each other withoutrisk, for example to service, clean, repair or replace a module or afunction group.

At least one of the fastening elements and/or connecting elements caninclude a locking device to block the option to detach and/or move therelevant element above a preset blocking temperature of the element.This prevents a detachment or movement at too high a temperature, whichmight lead to a user being injured. The locking device can, for example,by means of thermal deformation of a locking element, for example abimetallic strip, transfer to a blocking state if a blocking temperatureis exceeded.

At least one of the fastening elements and/or connecting elements caninclude a temperature display to indicate a temperature of the element.Again, the temperature display can advantageously stop a user fromdetaching or moving the relevant element at too high a temperature. Thetemperature display can, for example, display an exceeding of a blockingtemperature by means of a colour change, for example on a liquid crystaldisplay.

The food carrier function group can include a number of fasteningelements for detachable fastening of the food carrier module to the foodcarrier function group and a guidance device for guiding the foodcarrier module. This results in similar advantages and design options asthrough the aforementioned fastening elements and the aforementionedguidance device for the heating module.

The heating module can include at least one connection element forelectrically conducting connection of the heating module to acounter-element of the heating function group complementary to theconnection element. The connection element is formed as a socket and thecounter-element as a plug complementary to the socket, because a plug,in particular protruding, on the heating module could be easily damaged,for example of the heating module in the grill is integrated ordisassembled, or if the heating module is mounted or transported outsidethe grill.

By means of the connection element, electrical control signals and/ormeasuring signals and/or an electrical power supply could betransferred, for example by a control module and/or a power supplymodule for the grill, to the heating module and/or from the heatingmodule to the control module.

For example, at least one of the following functions can be executedusing the connection element: an electrical heat source for the heatingmodule can be supplied with electric current via the connection element;a gas valve for a gas heat source for the heating module can becontrolled via the connection element; an electrical ignition device fora gas heat source or a solid fuel heat source for the heating module canbe controlled via the connection element; measuring signals at a giventemperature of the heating module or a level of the gas tank for theheating module can be read off via the connection element.

The connection element and counter-element advantageously allow atransfer of electrical control signals, measuring signals and/orelectrical supply, without a separate power line having to be connectedto the heating module, so that operating the grill is simpler, lessvulnerable to errors and safer.

The counter-element is integrated into the heating function groupguidance device. In this way, the connection element can be connectedparticularly simply and reliably, in particular without tilting, withthe counter-element.

Other modules, for example the food carrying module, a drive module, apower supply module, a lighting module or an aroma module, with eachcase, can have at least one similarly designed and active connectionelement, as described by way of example for the heating module,advantageously, the heating function group, the food carrying groupand/or a housing function group are then fitted with appropriatecounter-elements, so that in each case a connection element for one ofthe modules can be connected in an electrically conducting manner withat least one function group counter-element.

The heating module can include a solid fuel, for example wood, charcoaland/or coal. The heating module can include an encasement enclosing thesolid fuel, with which the encasement is at least heat-permeable in thearea of the radiating surface. An encasement, for example aheat-resistant material such as steel or aluminium, prevents the solidfuel from escaping in an unburnt or even in a burnt state, which couldcause burns and contamination.

The heat permeability in the area of the radiant surface can, forexample, be guaranteed by the encasement having breaks and/or consistingof a heat-conducting material, in particular a metal. A collection tray,fluid-tight and/or heat-insulating, can be formed in the lower area ofthe encasement, for example for ash, cleaning fluid and/or extinguishingfluid.

The heating module can include an ignition device for igniting a fuel,in particular the solid fuel for a solid fuel heat source or the gas fora gas heat source. An ignition device, for example electric orpiezo-electric, allows a simple and safe ignition of the solid fuel,controlled especially by a grill device control module.

To guarantee reliable and complete ignition of the solid fuel for asolid fuel heat source, a heating module with solid fuel heat source cancontain an aid to ignition, for example a chemical grill igniter.

The heating module can include a collection device, separate from theencasement, for collecting the solid fuel combustion residues. Thecollection device can include, for example, a bowl, tray or drawer inthe grill configuration under the solid fuel.

The collection device prevents combustion residues such as ash,discharging uncontrolled from the heating module and leading tocontamination. Advantageously, the collection device includes a closingdevice, for example a cover, by which the combustion residues,especially if the heating module is detached from the grill and/or ifthe grill is in transport configuration, are trapped in the collectiondevice.

The heating module can include a number of ventilation openings, inparticular adjustable, for example facing a cooking area of the grill ingrill configuration and/or the cooking area in grill configuration onthe side facing away from the heating module.

Ventilation openings guarantee an adequate flow of oxygen for cleanburning of the solid fuel and a high heat development. If theventilation openings are adjustable for their gas permeability, the flowof oxygen and thus the heat development of the heating module can becontrolled globally or even locally in this way. In particular, auniform heat development can be achieved over the radiant surface.

The ventilation openings can be set, for example, manually and/orautomatically, for example with electromechanical actuators. Adjustableventilation openings can advantageously be closed in the carryingconfiguration, for example to prevent solid fuel and/or combustionresidues from escaping.

The ventilation openings can include feed air openings for introducinggas into the heating module and exhaust air openings for discharging gasfrom the heating module. Advantageously, in the grill configuration thefeed air openings are arranged advantageously in a lower area of theheating module and the exhaust air openings in an upper area of theheating module.

By means of different arrangements and/or settings of the ventilationopenings facing the cooking area and those on the side of the heatingmodule facing away from the cooking area, the grill can be set fordifferent types of use. For example, open exhaust openings can bearranged on the side facing the cooking area for a curing operationand/or, for as high an oxygen flow as possible and thus high heatdevelopment, open exhaust air openings on the side facing away from thecooking area.

At least one module of the grill device can include a number of gripelements. Grip elements and/or an outer surface of a module can bedecoupled thermally by means of an insulator from a grill heat sourceconnected mechanically with it. By means of grip elements, the moduleand/or the grill can be carried particularly easily.

The insulator, for example a thermal reflection coating, an insulatingmaterial and/or a gas, in particular prevents the grip elements and/orthe outer surface overheating. This reduces the risk of burns for a userof the grill. In addition, the insulator can reduce a heat loss from acooking area of the grill, so that the cooking process takes place moreefficiently and/or a less powerful and thus smaller, lighter and/or moreeconomical heat source can be used.

The grill can include at least one housing function group surrounding acooking area of the grill. The housing function group can be connectedseparably via a number of connection elements with the heating functiongroup and/or the food carrying function group. The connection elementscan be designed similarly to the connection elements between heatingfunction group and food carrying function group, which results insimilar benefits.

The housing function group can include a plurality of housing elements,wherein the housing elements can include, for example, a left side wallelement, a right side wall element, a rear wall element, a front wallelement, a base element and/or a cover element.

The grill can be designed closed and include all quoted housingelements. Alternatively, the grill can be designed open, with which atleast one housing element is absent. A closed grill has the advantagesof a low heat loss from the cooking area and a low risk for a user ofcoming into contact with hot and/or dirty surfaces of the grill. An opengrill has the advantage of good accessibility to the cooking area, sothat this can be loaded quickly and easily with the food, as well as anunobstructed oxygen flow, required locally for a combustion process.

The cover element can include a surface, in particular heatable, for thefood. The shelf allows food placed on it to be kept warm and/or cooked.Advantageously, the shelf is heated by means of a thermal coupling withthe heating module. In particular, the thermal coupling can be varied,for example by setting the size of a contact surface and/or a spacebetween the shelf and the heating module.

Advantageously, the shelf can include several sections, which have adifferent and/or variable thermal coupling with the heating module. Inthis way, the shelf can be used, for example concurrently, in a first(weakly coupled thermally) section for keeping warm and/or in a second(strongly coupled thermally) section for cooking food and/or in a third(isolated thermally) section as a setting down area for items notrequiring heating.

According to one particular embodiment of the invention, a Thermocouplecan be provided to set and/or control the thermal coupling of the shelf,in sections, for example with a kitchen hob hotplate.

In particular, the rear wall element can be formed at least in sections,by the heating module. In this way, the heating module in the grillconfiguration is arranged in a rear area of the grill, whereby the riskof burns at the heating module for a user of the grill is reduced.

In particular, the front wall element can include an opening for loadingthe grill with the food and, in particular, a door to close the opening.A door achieves simple loading of the grill and a low heat loss from thecooking area.

At least one of the housing elements can be designed to fold and/orconnected to fold with another housing element. In this way, the housingmodule and thus the grill can be transferred from the grillconfiguration into a particularly space-saving carrying configuration.

The housing module can include a fan for moving air in a cooking area ofthe grill. The fan can achieve a uniform heat distribution in thecooking area and thus even cooking of the food.

The at least one food carrier can be variable in height and/ordetachable, fastened to a holding element. In particular, a number, forexample two, three or four food carriers can be fastened to the sameholding element. A detachable and/or variable height fastening of thefood carrier brings the advantage that the food carrier(s) can bearranged variably in the grill device, depending on the nature, size andquantity of the food. Moreover, the food carrier, for example forcleaning and/or loading, can be simply removed and replaced quickly andsafely.

The food carrier can, in particular, be designed like the food carrierdescribed in the application DE102016007671A1. The correspondingparagraphs [0019] to [0029] of DE102016007671A1 are incorporated here byreference.

The at least one food carrier advantageously has a holding section, withwhich the food carrier can enter a detachable connection with theholding element, for example a catch, screwed, plug-in or clampedconnection.

The holding element can be, for example, of L-shaped design and/or withone, two or a plurality of parts. In the case of an L-shape, the longerside in the grill configuration is aligned and offset vertically andparallel to the rotating axis, and the shorter side is alignedhorizontally in the grill configuration. The connection of the L-sidecan be designed as an angle or as a curve.

To save weight, the holding element is designed from aluminium and/or ishollow.

The holding element can have recesses, openings and/or lugs, separatedvertically axis, detachably. A detachable, for example plugged, clampedand/or screwed fastening brings the advantage that different foodcarriers and/or holding elements can be exchanged with one anothereasily.

The rotating axis can be guided and mounted, in a section of therotating axis under the food carrier, in a guidance and bearing unit, inat least two bearings, separated vertically from each other,particularly ball bearings. That the axis is guided and mounted in onlya single section under the food carrier, achieves a simpler constructionof the grill device than with a guidance and/or bearing under and abovethe food carrier. Moreover, a guide and bearing unit under the foodcarrier is exposed to a lower heat loading than above, whereby the lifeexpectancy of the guide and bearing unit is increased.

In order to achieve high stability, despite guidance on only one side,in particular even with non-uniform loading of the food carrier, a guidewith as little play as possible is advantageous, such as is achieved,for example, by two ball bearings separated vertically. Instead of twoball bearings, a double row ball bearing, a ball bearing with littlebearing air, a needle bearing and/or a combination of a roller bearingwith a guide bushing can also be used. It is particularly advantageousto protect the guide and bearing against penetration by foreign bodies,for example fluid from the food. Protection can be guaranteed, forexample by using encapsulated ball bearings.

The rotating axis can be designed in particular as the axis described inthe application DE102016007671A1. The corresponding paragraphs [0030] to[0032] of DE102016007671A1 are incorporated here by reference.

The food carrier can include at least one grid and/or metal plate totake the food, wherein the food carrier module includes a number ofslots to accommodate the grid or metal plate. In this embodiment, thefood carrier module can be built particularly simply and used fordifferent types of food by different positioning of the grid or metalplate.

The grill can include at least one drive module for turning the at leastone food carrier, for which the food carrier function group includes anumber of fastening elements for detachable fastening and, inparticular, a guidance device for guiding the drive module to the foodcarrier function group. This results in similar design options asthrough the aforementioned fastening elements and the aforementionedguidance device for the heating module.

The drive module can include at least one motor, particularly anelectric motor, to turn a food carrier.

The drive module can advantageously be arranged in the grillconfiguration under the at least one food carrier, as this achieves asimpler construction and a high strength of the grill device, and thedrive module cannot be damaged by the heat rising from the heat module.

A drive module according to embodiments of the invention can be designedto offset the at least one food carrier in rotation with variable speedand/or variable speed profile. Depending on the food, a faster or slowerrotation can be advantageous for an ideal grilling result, so that thegrill device can be used more flexibly by means of a variable speed ofrotation.

In particular, different cooking phases for a foodstuff can also demanddifferent speeds of rotation. Therefore, a rotation with variable speedprofile, in other words with a defined sequence of different speeds, isparticularly advantageous for an ideal grilling result. A variable speedof rotation can be achieved particularly easily with an electric motorwith a variable supply voltage.

The grill can include at least one power supply module to supply atleast one grill function group with energy, for which the food carrierfunction group includes a number of fastening elements for detachablefastening and, in particular, a guidance device for guiding the powersupply module to the food carrier function group. This results insimilar advantages and design options as through the aforementionedfastening elements and the aforementioned guidance device for theheating module.

According to embodiments of the invention, any grill, even aconventional one can be fitted with the power supply module.

The power supply can include at least one energy store, in particular abattery and/or an accumulator. From this energy store, the drive module,for example—advantageously designed to be economical—can be suppliedwith energy over an extended period, in particular longer than thetypical endurance of a use of the grill. The energy store produces anindependent power supply, which allows the grill to be operated withoutan external energy source, for example an electric socket. This resultsin the advantage that the grill can be used at any location, inparticular a location without a power supply infrastructure, such as aremote camping site. For a construction of the grill device that is assimple as possible, however, a power supply module without an energystore, which is mandated for its operation on an external source ofenergy, can be provided.

The power supply module can include at least one power generation unitfor local power generation, particularly at least one wind turbine, a,for example foot-operated, dynamo, one photovoltaic cell module, suchas, for example, a solar panel and/or a device for converting thermalenergy into electrical and/or mechanical energy, such as, for example, athermo-electric generator based on the use of a temperature differenceor a Peltier element.

For example, a Peltier element or element for using the Seebeck effectat a hot section of the grill and a colder section of the grill and/orthe environment thermally through the various leads coupled into itselectronic heat capacity, heat flow capacity, in order to generateelectrical energy even without an external power supply or independentlyfrom a wind or solar energy feed, because from the heat development ofthe grill alone, electrical energy is generated, whose power suffices atleast to operate the drive module. For details, we refer to the contentof the web pageshttp://peltier-element.de/funktionsweise-peltier-element.html andhttps://www.energie-lexikon.info/thermoelektrischer_generator.html datedSep. 18, 2017, incorporated here by reference.

A thermo-electric generator in a grill has the advantage that it always,and therefore in grill operation, makes the temperature differencearising between sections of the grill usable for generating electricityand directly for converting electricity into the mechanical movement ofan actuator and also consists of enclosable, immovable components, whichtherefore can be built robustly, firmly and/or free from randommalfunction on to the grill.

By use of the power generation unit, the energy store in particular canbe charged before or even while the grill device is in use. The powergeneration unit offers the particular advantage that it functionswithout an external power supply.

In addition to atmospheric wind, a wind turbine can also use windgenerated by the heat function group to generate electricity. A Peltierelement can generate electricity from a temperature difference producedby the heat function group. Thus, it is like an upwind wind turbine andin contrast to a wind turbine for atmospheric wind or a photovoltaicmodule, independent of the environmental conditions of the grill device,such as wind strength or brightness. Photovoltaic module and Peltierelement have the common advantage of working without moving parts, whichallows low maintenance operation and a long working life, for which itcan also be protected by an enclosure.

The power supply module can include at least one mains connection of thepower supply module to a power supply grid. The mains connection caninclude, for example, a power cable with corresponding connectors forconnecting to a household power point or to an on-board power point on aland or water vehicle.

The power supply module can include an output for connecting additionalloads. If the power supply module is dimensioned such that the grilldoes not need its total output, this can be used advantageously forsupplying additional loads. For this, the power supply module has anoutput, advantageously in the form of at least one domestic or on-boardpower point, to which, for example, cooling equipment for the foodand/or consumer electronic equipment can be connected.

The grill can include at least one lighting module with at least onelight source for illuminating the grill and/or the food, for which thefood carrier function group and/or a grill housing function groupincludes a number of fastening elements for detachable fastening and, inparticular, a guidance device for guiding the lighting module to therelevant function group. This results in similar advantages and designoptions as through the aforementioned fastening elements and theaforementioned guidance device for the heating module.

According to embodiments of the invention, any grill, even conventionalcan be fitted with the lighting module.

A lighting module with a light source, for example with at least one LEDlight, allows the user to operate the grill device safely, even with lowambient light.

The grill can include at least one optical fibre cable, in particular aglass fibre cable, to conduct the light from the at least one lightsource for the lighting module on the food. An optical fibre cableallows, for example, light from a, in particular heat-sensitive, lightsource, which is thermally insulated from a cooking area of the grill,to be conducted into the cooking area. In this manner, it is possible toilluminate food in the cooking area, without reducing the working lifeof the light source, for example a LED light, by the effect of heat. Forthis, the optical fibre cables, at least in a section exposed to heat,are formed to be heat-resistant in a typical temperature range ingrills.

It is also or alternatively conceivable that the lighting module isarranged in a relatively cool section of the grill and light impacts ona number of heat- and/or dirt-resistant and, if need be, adjustable,optical elements for light reflection and/or diffusion, such as an, ifneed be, curved and/or tilting mirror, which directs the light on to afood position in the grill and illuminates it. The optical elements arearranged in sections of a cooking area of the grill, at which the dirtentering in the grilling operation, such as through fat spraying, isreduced.

The grill can include at least one control module for monitoring,controlling and/or regulating the food cooking process, wherein the foodcarrying function group and/or a housing function group of the grillincludes a number of fastening elements for detachable fastening and, inparticular, a guidance device for guiding the control module to therelevant function group. This results in similar advantages and designoptions as for the aforementioned fastening elements and theaforementioned guidance device for the heating module.

According to embodiments of the invention, any grill, even conventionalones can be fitted with the control module.

The control module can be designed to control the speed of rotation ofthe drive module and/or the heat output from the heating module,electronically and particularly programmed. The control module, forexample implemented as a microcomputer, advantageously allows allrelevant parameters for an ideal grilling process to be controlledcentrally.

The control module can be designed to call up programmes for preparingdifferent foods from a database, and thereupon controlling the grillautomatically for an ideal grilling result. The control module can alsobe designed to record user-defined programmes.

The control module can include at least one display and/or controlelement that is designed for setting and/or displaying at least oneoperating state of the at least one heating module, the drive module,the power supply module, the lighting module and/or the control module.

A control element can, for example, be designed as a switch, rotarycontroller or slide controller or even as a wireless interface to a dataprocessing device with virtual control surfaces, for example a mobiletelephone app. A display element can, for example, be designed as apointer instrument, digital display, indicator lamp or screen. Controlelement and display element can also be connected in a single controland display element, for example in the form of a touch-sensitivescreen.

Operating state, for example, is understood to include heat output, gasflow and/or temperature of the heating module; speed of rotation of thedrive module and/or charge state, power supply module power consumptionand/or power output.

With the control and/or display element, for example, predefined grillprogrammes can be selected, started and monitored and/or the user candefine his own grilling programmes.

By means of an advantageous fitting of control and/or display elementsat the housing function groups, in particular on the side facing theuser during operation of the grill device, readings can be achieved orread off easily and conveniently.

The control module can be designed to control a grilling process with anideal grill parameter or grill parameter sequence. A grill parameter orgrill parameter sequence can, for example, relate to temperature, airflow and/or air humidity in the cooking area. In particular, the controlmodule can intervene in the regulation, either manually or by entering aparameter profile.

It is, for example, conceivable to download an ideal parameter profilefor a stuffed chicken via a smartphone or a module integrated in thegrill and control the grill accordingly via an app. The control moduleoutputs, for example, acoustic and/or optical handling instructions viaappropriate signal transducers, so that even an untrained or distractedgrill user can achieve ideal grilling results. Such signal transducerscan, for example, also output a release signal, from which it is, forexample, possible and safe to transport the grill after use and/orconvert it from grill configuration into carrying configuration withoutdanger of burning. The control module can include at least one camerafor depicting the food. By means of the camera, for example a digitalvideo camera, a picture of the food can be advantageously taken andillustrated, for example with the display element. Thus, it is possibleto monitor the cooking process without having to open the grill forthis, or provide heavy and/or breakable windows. The grill can includean image conductor, for example a glass fibre cable, which is designedto conduct a picture of the food to the camera. In this way, it ispossible that the camera is arranged to be insulated thermally from thecooking area and in particular from a heat source in the grill and cannonetheless take pictures of the food. In this way, the camera isprotected from excessive heat effects, whereby its working life isincreased.

The control module can include at least one communication element forexchanging, wirelessly, measurement and/or control data with a mobilecommunication device. The mobile communication device can be, forexample, a smartphone or a tablet computer, on which a programme formonitoring, controlling and/or regulating a grilling process on thegrill is installed. In this design, the mobile communication device canbe used as display and/or control element for the grill. In particular,the image of the food taken by the camera, continuously, can betransferred to the mobile communication device and displayed by it. Thecommunication element has the advantage that the grill can be monitoredand/or controlled even without direct contact between the user and thegrill. For example a user can prepare side dishes for a meal in akitchen and monitor the food cooking process in a grill set up in theopen air.

The control module can include at least one thermometer and/orhygrometer for measuring a temperature or air humidity at the foodand/or in the grill cooking area. The thermometer is detachable at theat least one food carrier and/or fixable to the holding element. Thethermometer can include an integral temperature display and/or themeasured temperature can be communicated via cable and/or by wireless tothe control module and/or a grill display element. The thermometer can,for example, be fixed detachably via a clamped, screwed or plug-inconnection.

With the aid of the thermometer, it can advantageously be checkedwhether the temperature in the area of the food is the same as the idealfood grilling temperature. If the temperature is not ideal, an operatorof the grill and/or the control module can regulate the grill and/or thecontrol module, for example the heat output from the heating functiongroup and/or a distance of the food carrier from the radiating surfaceof the heating function group so that the ideal temperature is reached.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the thermometer can be designedas a core temperature measurement sensor. The thermometer can, forexample, be arranged at a food carrier and/or connected with the controlmodule via a data line. In particular, the data line can include atleast one sliding contact. A sliding contact has the advantage that, bymeans of this, a reliable data transfer is facilitated in a simplemanner between a moving thermometer, which, for example, is arranged atan, in particular turning, food carrier and a fixed control module.

The control module can include at least one timer for measuring a foodcooking time and/or at least one timer for controlling a food cookingtime. Advantageously, the timer is fitted together with control and/ordisplay elements at the housing function group or integrated in thecontrol and/or display elements. With the timer, an operator can monitorthe grilling time of the food on the grill and in the event that a timeralso begins and/or ends the grilling process automatically.

The control module can include a remotely viewable display element fordisplaying an operating state of the grill and/or of a cooking state ofthe food, wherein the display includes at least one remotely changinglight source. The light source can, for example, include a number of LEDlights and/or through a traffic light system indicate whether parametersfor the operating state and/or cooking state, for example a core areatemperature of the food, a cooking area temperature and/or a cookingtime are in a corresponding nominal range.

The grill can include at least one aroma module for controlled releaseof aromatics from a tank in a cooking area of the grill, wherein theheating function group, the food carrier function group and/or a housingfunction group includes a number of fastening elements for detachablefastening and, in particular, a guidance device for guiding the aromamodule to the relevant function group. This results in similaradvantages and design options as for the aforementioned fasteningelements and the aforementioned guidance device for the heating module.

The aroma module allows a plurality of additional preparation optionsfor the food. According to embodiments of the invention, any grill, evenconventional ones can be fitted with the aroma module.

The controlled release can be made, for example, by heating a, forexample solid or liquid aroma carrier in the tank, wherein the aromaticsfrom the aroma carrier vaporise or sublimate. The release can also becontrolled by at least one valve. The release can, for example, becontrolled by the control module.

The grill can include a top module for placing on the grill, wherein thetop module includes at least one shelf for cooking the food and/orkeeping it warm. In its design and its advantages, the shelf can be thesame as the cover element shelf described above. If the top moduleincludes a shelf, this generates the advantage of higher versatility, asdepending on the purpose, different top modules can be placed on thegrill.

The grill can include at least one service device, which is selectedfrom a hot air blower for heating a solid fuel and/or the food; a vacuumcleaner for sucking combustion residues from a solid fuel; and a coolingdevice for cooling the food. The grill acquires additional usefulfunctions through a service device. The service device and the powersupply module can include matching connections, for example plug andsocket, for supplying the service device with energy through the powersupply module.

In summary, embodiments of the invention overcome the drawbacks ofconventional grilling devices through a grill constructed in a modularmanner, whose modules are to be connected unambiguously and simply to agrill, wherein the modules can be combined to form a grill designed fordifferent types of use.

All features disclosed in the application documents are claimed asessential to embodiments of the invention, provided they areindividually or in combination new compared with the state of the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference tothe following figures, wherein like designations denote like members,wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a grill according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a heating module according toembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a housing function groupaccording to embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a housing function group according toembodiments of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a isometric view of another housing function groupaccording to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a grill 100 according toembodiments of the invention. The illustrated grill 100 includes aheating function group 310, a food carrying function group 330 and ahousing function group 320. The heating function group 310 includes aheating module with a radiating surface 211 for radiating heat on to thefood carried by the food carrying function group 330, wherein theradiating surface 211 in the illustrated grilling configuration of thegrill 100 is aligned vertically and the food carrying function group 330is arranged in front of the radiating surface 211.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a heating module 210 according toembodiments of the invention. The view is, for example, directed at aradiating surface of the heating module 210 in the plane of the paper.Advantageously, the depth of the heating module at right angles to theplane of the paper is less than its expansion in the plane of the paper.

The illustrated heating module 210 includes a solid fuel 215, forexample charcoal briquettes, which is enclosed by an encasement 212, forexample a metal basket. The heating module 210 includes, arranged inparticular inside the solid fuel 215, an ignition device 213, forexample an electric grill lighter for the solid fuel 215 and, arrangedin particular underneath the solid fuel 215, a collection device 214,for example a metal tray, for combustion residues from the solid fuel215.

The illustrated heating module 210 includes, arranged in particular on atop side of the heating module 210, a grip element 202 for carrying theheating module 210. Between the grip element 202 and the solid fuel 215is arranged a means of insulation or insulation 203, for example, inparticular foamed heat-resistant plastic, so that the grip element 202is not overheated while operating the heating module 210.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic sectional view of a housing function group 320according to embodiments of the invention. The housing function group320 includes a left side wall element 221, a right side wall element222, a base element 225 and a cover element 226, which enclose thecooking area 110 of the grill. The cutting plane of the illustrationruns parallel to a rear wall element (not illustrated) of the housingmodule 220.

The illustrated housing elements 221, 222, 225 and 226 areInterconnected by joints 229 (labelled only by way of example), forexample hinges. Furthermore, the left side wall element 221 and theright side wall element 222 in each case include a joint 229 (labelledonly by way of example), whereby the side wall elements 221 and 222 aredesigned to fold.

By means of the joints 229 it is possible to transfer the housing module220 from the grill configuration (FIG. 3a ) into a space-saving, foldedtogether carrying configuration (FIG. 3c ). FIG. 3b shows anintermediate state between the grill configuration and theconfiguration, wherein there is clarity through the absence oflabelling.

FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of a housing function group 320 accordingto embodiments of the invention. Like the housing function group 320from FIG. 3, the housing function group 320 illustrated here alsoinclude a left side wall element 221, a right side wall element 222, abase element 225 and a cover element 226. A rear wall element 223 isalso illustrated, which is formed as a heating function group andincludes a heating module 210, for example an electric radiant heater.

The illustrated housing elements 221, 222, 223, 225 and 226 areInterconnected by joints 229 (labelled only by way of example), forexample hinges. Furthermore, the left side wall element 221 and theright side wall element 222 in each case include a joint 229(illustrated with dotted lines, labelled only by way of example),whereby the side wall elements 221 and 222 are designed to fold. In asimilar manner to FIG. 3b , FIG. 4 shows an intermediate state betweenthe grilling configuration and the carrying configuration of the housingmodule 220. In order to move from the grilling configuration into thecarrying configuration, the rear wall element 223 can be folded about ajoint 229 at a rear edge of the cover element 226 on to the coverelement 226. In a similar manner, the rear wall element 223 could alsobe folded about a joint (not illustrated) at the rear edge of the baseelement 225 under the base element 225. A front wall element (notillustrated) could be folded in the same manner as the rear wall element223.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of another housing function group 320according to embodiments of the invention in the grill configuration. Inthe illustrated design, the left side wall element 221, the right sidewall element 222, the cover element 226 and the rear wall element 223are interconnected rigidly.

The aforementioned housing elements 221, 222, 223 and 226 are connectedvia two joints 229 with the base element 225, which is designed in theform of a tray in the illustrated example, for example for housing thefood carrying function group (not illustrated). By means of the joint229, the base element 225 can be folded in a space-saving manner intothe carrying configuration of the housing module 220 in the cooking areaenclosed by the side wall elements 221 and 222, the cover element 226and the rear wall element 223.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described in greaterdetail with reference to the preferred exemplary embodiment, theinvention is not limited to the examples disclosed, and furthervariations can be inferred by a person skilled in the art, withoutdeparting from the scope of protection of the invention.

For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or“an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and“comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   100 Grill-   110 Cooking area-   202 Grip element-   203 Means of insulation or insulation-   210 Heating module-   211 Radiating surface-   212 Encasement-   213 Ignition device-   214 Collection device-   215 Solid fuel-   221 Left side wall element-   222 Right side wall element-   223 Rear wall element-   225 Base element-   226 Cover element-   229 Joint-   310 Heating function group-   320 Housing function group-   330 Food carrying function group

1. A modular grill with at least a) a grill configuration for grillingfood and a carrying configuration for carrying the grill, b) a heatingfunction group, c) a replaceable heating module for heating the foodwith a vertical radiating surface in the grilling configuration, and d)a food carrying function group connected with a heating function groupwith a food carrying module wherein the heating function group includesat least e) a guidance device for guiding the heating module and f) anumber of fastening elements for detachable fastening of the heatingmodule to the heating function group, and the food carrying moduleincludes at least g) a food carrier for taking the food in the grillingconfiguration, mounted to rotate about a vertical axis in front of theradiating surface, wherein the heating module includes at least oneconnection element for electrically conducting connection of the heatingmodule to a heating function group counter-element complementary to theconnection element for the transfer of at least one of electricalcontrol signals, measuring signals and, a electrical power supply. 2.The grill according to claim 1, wherein the heating function group andthe food carrying function group are interconnected detachably via anumber of connection elements, wherein the connection elements aredesigned for movable connection of the heating function group with thefood carrying function group.
 3. The grill according to claim 1, whereinthe food carrying function group includes a number of fastening elementsfor detachable fastening of the food carrier module to the food carrierfunction group and a guidance device for guiding the food carryingmodule.
 4. The grill according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a)the connection element is formed as a socket and the counter-element asa plug complementary to the socket; and b) the counter-element isintegrated into the heating function group guidance device.
 5. The grillaccording to claim 1, wherein the heating module includes a solid fueland an encasement enclosing the solid fuel, wherein the encasement a) isheat-permeable at least in the area of the radiating surface, and b)includes a number of adjustable ventilation openings which are at leastone of at a side of the heating module facing a cooking area of thegrill in the grilling configuration and at a side of the heating modulefacing away from the cooking area.
 6. The grill according to claim 1,wherein the heating module includes an ignition device, for lighting afuel.
 7. The grill according to claim 1, wherein a housing functiongroup enclosing at least one cooking area of the grill, wherein thehousing function group a) is connected detachably via a number ofconnection elements, with at least one of the heating function group andthe food carrying function group; b) includes a plurality of housingelements, wherein at least one of the housing elements is designed asfolding and is connected foldingly with a further housing element, andc) includes a number of adjustable ventilation openings.
 8. The grillaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one food carrier a) isfastened detachably and/or in a height-variable manner to a holdingelement; and b) is fastened eccentrically to the rotating axis at a,L-shaped, holding element.
 9. The grill according claim 1, wherein itincludes at least one drive module for turning the at least one foodcarrier about the rotating axis, wherein the food carrying functionmodule includes a number of fastening elements for detachable fasteningof the drive module to the food carrying function group.
 10. The grillaccording to claim 1, wherein it includes at least one power supplymodule for supplying at least one function group of the grill withenergy, wherein the food carrying function group includes a number offastening elements for detachable fastening of the power supply moduleto the food carrying function group.
 11. The grill according to claim 1,wherein it includes at least one lighting module with at least one lightsource for illuminating the grill and/or the food, wherein at least oneof the food carrying function group and a grill housing function groupinclude a number of fastening elements for detachable fastening of thelighting module to the relevant function group.
 12. The grill accordingto claim 11, wherein at least one optical fibre cable for conductinglight from the at least one light source of the lighting module to thefood.
 13. The grill according to claim 1, wherein it includes at leastone control module for monitoring, controlling and/or regulating a foodcooking process, wherein at least one of the food carrying functiongroup and a grill housing function group include a number of fasteningelements for detachable fastening of the control module to the relevantfunction group.
 14. The grill according to claim 13, wherein the controlmodule includes at least one communication element for wireless exchangeof measurement and/or control data with a mobile communication device,wherein the control module includes at least one camera for depictingthe food, wherein the grill includes an image conductor for conducting apicture of the food to the camera.
 15. The grill according to claim 13,wherein the control module includes a remotely readable display elementfor displaying an operating state of the grill and a cooking state ofthe food, wherein the display element includes a colour-changing lightsource.
 16. The grill according to claim 6, wherein the ignition deviceis electric.